As Jim pointed out in the podcast, it is uniquely liberating for everyone involved to have nothing between the storyteller and the audience. I, too, love picture books (after all, I am a teacher-librarian), but to a certain degree they are dictatorial because the images are prescribed rather than imagined. Actually, for this reason, I often find it more fun to read chapter books aloud. But even still, with storytelling there is still an advantage: namely the ability to incorporate your whole being into the story through the use of expression and gesture. It is quite impossible to hold a book, read and become completely one with the story. In addition, the best stories to tell are the ones we have lived or read and can relate to on a deep level because they correspond to our own lives and lend themselves best to genuinely expressed emotion. Those are the stories that strike chords with children that may resonate for a life time.

I am hoping to get my hands on the DVD he mentioned as well as the Story Proof book that was recommended. This pod-cast was immensely helpful and I cannot thank you enough for creating this wonderful site!